Mr Fox said a separate claim brought against Mirror Group Newspapers by Hilary Perrin - who from 2000 to 2006 was director of regional organisation for the Labour party and also director of the London Labour Party - had also been settled with the payment of damages, costs and an apology for the damage and distress caused.

He said Ms Perrin's voicemails had been hacked in February, March and April 2004 and she was also targeted by private investigators on two occasions.

Ms Perrin had never sought publicity and was distressed to think the paper had potentially jeopardised her political career by intercepting private messages left by those who had placed their trust in her, he added.

Ms Waite said that Mirror Group Newspapers acknowledged Ms Perrin's information should never have been obtained or used in the manner it was.